Welcome Family to the March 2014 issue of The Oak Leaf! For new readers, this is a monthly newsletter that is sent by e-mail to those that have expressed an interest in Gastineau Log Homes. We use this as a way of communicating technical, design and industry information. For more information, check out our web site at www.oakloghome.com.
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Trivia Question: What 1915 product gave the Sharp Corporation (Japan’s consumer giant) its name? (See the answer below.)
The back of the Ashton features quarter round windows in the living room cathedral end. The living room opens out onto the back porch
Gastineau Log Homes on TV! We were recently featured on the news, focusing on our exporting. Click here. to see the video and read the story!
Some homes can only be seen in the winter when the leaves are all gone! This is a Seven Gables II home that we probably couldn’t appreciate in the summer because of all the trees. They did not do an attached garage but opted for a detached garage using siding. Imagine the view from the living room out to the lake… gorgeous!
New 2 bedroom Log Cabin 2 Go design: You can see the design below. This plans allows for a bunk room and a washer and dryer. Click here for more information on our full log park models!
This Log Cabin 2 Go has granite countertops as well as stainless appliances in a custom designed kitchen.
This is the new Get Away floor plan featuring a bedroom AND a bunk room. This floor plan allows you to have access to a porch on the end of the cabin. There is even room for an optional stackable washer and dryer!
You are building a custom home and it is your opportunity to have a home exactly as you want. An example is how you want the stairs built.
This is the home page on our current web site.
Our Standard Oak Stair System: The picture above shows the two ways you can build our Oak Stair System. When you choose this stair, you receive solid Oak 2 X 12 stringers. They can be used solid or they can be notched. (Both methods are shown above.) The package includes 2 X 4 Oak blocking to use for the solid stringers. If you don’t use the 2 x 4’s for the stairs, you can use them somewhere else in your Oak log home! The treads are 2 X 10 Oak. You also receive 1 X 8 Oak risers to close in the stairs if you wish. This system is standard in our Oak Accent Kit for all homes with a second story floor.
We have a lot of construction details displayed at our model home center on I 70 Exit 144 in central MO. This is just one of the construction details perfected by GLH to ensure that your log home will be energy efficient and structurally sound for centuries!
How does Gastineau install windows and doors to prevent air infiltration? Air infiltration is the biggest culprit in homes for energy loss. In a log home, the connection between the logs and the window is critical as the “typical” installation methods used in frame homes is not possible. We have developed a system that works beautifully and with the least opportunity for error. First, the “buck” or frame is precut at the factory for the rough opening of the window or door for accuracy and to eliminate human error on the job site. The side frames come splined to fit the groove in the end of the log. This creates a tongue and groove connection between the buck and the log! A special non drying sealant is used at this joint also. The nail fin for the window is attached to the buck, NOT the log wall. Then custom gaskets that match the profile of the log are installed behind the trim. This prevents air and insects from getting behind the trim because of the concave of the log surface. Settling gasket it put above the frame before trimming. This gasket will be compressed over the first couple of years but will not cause any tension on the window or door. We have been using this type of window and door installation since 2001 and it WORKS!!
The little things are what you can do in your home to make it comfortable and easy living. I added this photo for one reason: to point out the plug in the side of the cabinet under the countertop. See it? Why add this here? Think about charging your phone. How about having your computer plugged in? This could be really, really handy! Of course, you could paint it to match the cabinets if you did not want it to be so obvious…
Construction Seminar Schedule for 2014:
Click here for information on our one day construction seminars.
Here is our schedule for 2014. Sign up soon!
March 15th
April 12th
June 21st
Sept. 6th
Oct 25th
Log Raising March 8th south of Jefferson City, MO
We have tentatively scheduled a log raising for March 8th south of Jefferson City, MO. Tentatively because there is a possibility of a lot of snow here this weekend and it could slow down construction.
If you would like to come to a log raising on March 8th, give us a call at 573-896-5122.
Home Shows:
St Louis Boat Show Feb 26 – March 2nd (We will have a Log Cabin 2 Go as a feature event of the show!)
Beijing International Expo of Wooden Houses & Structures – March 28 – 30, National Agriculture Exhibition Center, Bejing, China
Johnsons Log and Timber Frame Show: March 28 – 30th, Allentown Fairgrounds, Agri-Plex Annex, Allentown, PA.
Call 800-654-9253 for information on any of the shows.
Open Houses:
Saturday May 3 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
PA Oak Log Homes
Dennis & Colleen Gabel
131 Oley Furnace Road
Fleetwood, PA 19522
Dennis: 610-790-7447
Colleen: 610-790-7479
Answer to the Trivia Question: A pencil – the Ever-Sharp pencil, a mechanical retractable graphite pencil that was invented by the company’s founder.
Quote of the Month: “Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.” – Lillian Dickson
